As a young boy I loved a ‘fast life’, always active, playing many sports and being with my friends. At the age of 17 I signed a professional contract to play rugby league, although I would be the first to admit that becoming a professional player was not really my ambition — in fact it was more an opportunity that presented itself to me. For me just being part of a team with my mates was enough. However, once embedded as a professional player, competing at a higher standard in large stadiums soon became the prize.
The level of rugby I played was not Super League, therefore it wasn’t for super money. I played for just over 10 years, at Castleford, Dewsbury, with loan spells with Hunslet and Wakefield, even managing a season in the hotbed of rugby league on the Gold Coast of Australia. All the time I played rugby I was also working in my family’s building company. It was a tough trade to be in, but working 12-hour shifts followed by training 4 nights a week and playing at the weekend was what helped build my character. It certainly taught me the importance of resilience.
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